This viola is essentially a solo instrument with exceptional tonal quality and projection. It remains one of the finest violas I've ever played on.

After several years of apprenticeship, violinmaking and restoration work in Cremona, Peter Pots (b. 1973) settled in the small mountain village of Scurano, not far from Cremona, where this viola was made in 2005. For a number of years this is where he constructed his instruments, and from where he supplied leading dealers and musicians throughout Europe, notably in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland and elsewhere. Peter then moved to Norway where he currently lives and works.

Pots's work is considered to be purely Italian. He was raised in Cremona, where his father (also named Peter Pots) was apprenticed and worked as violinmaker. After university studies in South Africa, Pots returned to Cremona to study violinmaking under maestro Vanna Zambelli. After completion of the 5-year course in 3 years, he worked for the renowned restorers, Bruce Carlson, Fausto Cacciatori and Bernard Neumann, where he had daily contact with some of the world's finest instruments.

His own instruments are being played by some of the world's foremost musicians, such as Heinrich Schiff, Valentin Erben, Gerhard Schulz, Thabea Zimmermann, Thomas Riebl and many others who today own a Pots.

This viola is small (length 39.4 cm) and was especially designed to be easy to play on without having to compromise sound. In his violas Pots pays particular attention to playing comfort: the rib height tends to be low, the neck is shaped carefully to suit most hands, similarly the neck projection is optimized for maximum bowing room at the bridge. This model was worked out especially with the purpose of getting the strongest and richest tone with the smallest possible size. This is obtained with a very wide middle bout and short c cuts together with rather short f holes, which assist in increasing the volume in the low range. The archings are low, which contribute to impressive tonal projection. The back is particularly thick, ensuring that the viola will have a long period of improvement, and it adds that particular "nutty" sound which is a characteristic of all Peter Pots' instruments.

This viola is made of excellent materials and is characterized by a beautiful golden amber varnish, thickly applied, but which maintains transparency throughout, allowing one to admire the beauty of the woods used. The purfling is impeccably traced, the corners are superb (see photos). The scroll is magnificent.

It's worth mentioning that this outstanding viola has an exceptionally comfortable neck, almost with a 'violin' feel, which should be perfectly suitable for a woman or small person.

Dimensions :
	Length of back: 39.4 cm

Condition :
	Superb, free from cracks of repairs.

Provenance :
	Withheld

Price :

On request